2024 Murray, Kentucky Summer Series
Photo Highlights
Photos courtesy of Michael Scott Evans
2024 paducah, Kentucky Summer Series
Photo Highlights
Photos courtesy of Michael Scott Evans
Our 2024 Summer Series event
murray, Kentucky
Night 1
Kentucky Comedy Night
July 19, 2024 – 7:00 PM
The Kentucky Comedy Festival’s 2024 Summer Series kicked off on July 19, 2024, with a night full of laughter and unforgettable performances. The charismatic Southern Gentleman, Mike Armstrong, shared his real-life tales from his police days and family life, providing a wholesome yet hilariously relatable experience. The seasoned comic Bob Batch entertained the crowd with his wide range of performances, from governors’ gatherings to national conventions. Keith McGill delivered clever, insightful, and subtly provocative comedy, offering laughs that were as intelligent as they were entertaining. Towering above the rest, literally, was Jake Hovis, a high school teacher and improv master, whose unique perspective on life’s absurdities was as refreshing as the Denver air he hails from. The night was a spectacular showcase of clean, family-friendly comedy that left everyone in stitches
Night 2
Jeff Allen
July 20, 2024 – 4:00 PM
The laughter continued at the Kentucky Comedy Festival on July 20, 2024, with an unforgettable night of comedy. Headlining the event was comedy veteran Jeff Allen, whose remarkable five-decade career has made him a familiar face on platforms like America’s Got Talent, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and the viral Dry Bar Comedy. With over 700 million views online, Jeff’s relatable humor and engaging storytelling resonated with audiences of all ages. He is also a celebrated author, with his latest book, “Are We There Yet?” becoming an Amazon bestseller, and is currently involved in the pre-production of a TV series based on his book. The night also featured the multi-talented June Vaughn Colson, a Bowling Green native known for her versatile and 100% clean comedy. As the co-host of the Laugh Support Podcast and Nashville’s 2020 Clean Comedy Challenge Champion, June brought a unique blend of humor and inspiration to the stage, making her a hit at clubs, churches, and community events alike.
Our Comedians
Jeff Allen
Jeff Allen is in his fifth decade as a working comedian. You may have seen him on America’s Got Talent, Dry Bar Comedy, HBO, Amazon Prime, Huckabee, Pureflix, Comedy Central, VH-1, Showtime, TBN, CBN, Family Net and numerous other television networks and Podcasts. Jeff has also produced and starred in his own sitcom pilot for Castlerock Television and in the critically acclaimed films, “Apostles of Comedy.”
Mike Armstrong
Mike has appeared on HBO, Comedy Central, Fox and CMT as well as opening for major musical acts such as Michael Buble, Alan Jackson, Tracy Lawrence and David Allan Coe (just to name a few.) In addition, Mike was a consultant and actor on the hit show, “American Dumbest Criminals,” and has made cameo appearances in shows such as “Zena, Warrior Princess,” and “Vice.” The list of all that Mike has done and appeared in could go on for days. Mike has a knack of being in the right place at the right time, and that coupled with his natural comedic talent in improve and observational comedy, he has been very blessed in his entertainment career.
Bob Batch
Bob Batch is a veteran of more than 10,000 shows and has worked with everyone from Ray Charles to Robin Williams. Bob has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, Showtime’s Comedy Club Network, A&E’s Comedy on the Road and America’s Funniest People. He was asked to perform for the governors of all 50 United States and since then, has kept busy cracking up State Legislatures, NBA Teams, National Conventions, Professional Associations, Trade Unions, Correctional Institutions and every imaginable group of people that can be sat together….or not.
Jake Hovis
Jake Hovis is huge. Seriously, he is 6’8” and well over a hundred pounds. His comedy, like the air in his hometown of Denver, tends to be clean and fresh. Jake is a high school teacher who works out new bits during class. He has a solid background in improv performing in front of paid audiences of adults 83 times in 2018 (He kept a spreadsheet). They described him as “funny” and “big”. Jake enjoys the little things in life like his 5’3” wife and 2 miniature dachshunds.
Keith McGill
Keith McGill is clever, insightful, and a little bit eye-opening. His comedy is truth with a twist. Keith was also a STANDUP NBC Competition finalist. As well as touring internationally on Royal Caribbean and Holland America Cruise Lines, Keith has appeared on BET, CMT, LAUGHS on FOX and is a Bob and Tom Show favorite, and a much sought-after entertainer for corporate events
June Vaughn Colson
June Colson is a Clean/Christian Comedian from Bowling Green, KY. She is the co-host of the Laugh Support Podcast and Nashville’s 2020 Clean Comedy Challenge Champion. June’s comedy is 100% clean and family friendly. June can go from straight up standup to inspirational testimony. She has the ability to be diverse in her delivery. She has performed in clubs, churches, community events, date nights, women’s events, and crowd warm up for the Huckabee Show. You can’t go wrong with “June Bug”!
our 2024 Murray Summer Series hosts
Ben Wilson, Founder
Kentucky Comedy Festival
Ben Wilson is the founder of the Kentucky Comedy Festival and native of Paducah, Kentucky and Calvert City, Kentucky. He is a 1999 graduate of Murray State University and a 2004 graduate of the University of Miami (FL) law school with a Masters of Law in Real Estate Development. Ben has been practicing law as a real estate attorney in Florida since 2004. He is excited to bring the Kentucky Comedy Festival to his hometown area to bring laughter to Western Kentucky and support to Murray State!
Mallory Hudson
Miss Kentucky 2023
Mallory Hudson is Miss Kentucky 2023, a passionate advocate for inclusion and education. She’s a senior at the University of Kentucky, studying Communications and Political Science. Mallory has a strong background in theater, championing her Community Service Initiative, “Inclusive Stages.” She serves as the official spokesperson for Kentucky Proud, supporting local agriculture. Mallory aims to be remembered for her advocacy, leadership, and commitment to empowering others.
Our 2024 Summer Series event
paducah, Kentucky
July 26, 2024 – 7:00 PM
The Kentucky Comedy Festival welcomed back the hilarious Brad Upton for his Tap Out Nap Out Crap Out tour, featuring new material that delighted fans on June 26, 2024. Known for his sold-out show at the inaugural Kentucky Comedy Festival this past October, Brad, one of America’s funniest comedians, has garnered over 90 million views for his video specials on Dry Bar Comedy. Joining Brad was the amazingly funny Dave Dugan, a comedian featured on Comedy Central, Dry Bar Comedy, HBO, FOX, and the Bob & Tom Show. Guests were also treated to a pre-show concert at 6:00 p.m. with the Paducah-based classic rock band Midlife Crisis, who wowed audiences once again. The comedy show began at 7:00 p.m., providing an evening full of laughter and entertainment.
Our Comedians
Brad Upton
Dave Dugan
Dave’s first job was working on construction jobs for his dad. After shoveling pea gravel for 8 hours a day, Dugan discovered he was allergic… To hard labor. Also, not a good salesman or delegator and with no known musical abilities, he admits “I fell into comedy as a default. I had nowhere else to turn.”
His back-up plan seems to paid off. Dave’s original, clean humor and observations have earned him appearances on HBO, Comedy Central, Fox, CBS, ABC, the Bob and Tom Show, Sirius/XM and have made him a highly-sought after corporate comedian. An award-winning writer, he customizes humor for each performance to best fit each audience.
our 2024 paducah summer series host
Ben Wilson, Founder
Kentucky Comedy Festival
Ben Wilson is the founder of the Kentucky Comedy Festival and native of Paducah, Kentucky and Calvert City, Kentucky. He is a 1999 graduate of Murray State University and a 2004 graduate of the University of Miami (FL) law school with a Masters of Law in Real Estate Development. Ben has been practicing law as a real estate attorney in Florida since 2004. He is excited to bring the Kentucky Comedy Festival to his hometown area to bring laughter to Western Kentucky and support to Murray State!
2023 Presenting Sponsors
